The latest Justin De Fratus MLB and fantasy baseball news

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed 3B Cody Asche (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. In a corresponding move, RP Justin De Fratus has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The move is retroactive to Friday, May 23.

Fantasy Tip: INF Cesar Hernandez will start at third base for the time being, but shouldn't be considered outside of deep NL-only leagues. There is a possibility that 3B Maikel Franco (illness) could be promoted from the minors if Asche is sidelined for an extended period of time but he is currently battling an upper respiratory illness.

Philadelphia Phillies RP Justin De Fratus said he experienced a decrease in velocity during spring training because he was working on a mechanical adjustment designed to speed up his delivery to home plate with runners on base. "I got too worked up about that instead of working on it during my side sessions and then letting it filter in on its own," De Fratus said. "You practice things enough it's going to take over. When it came time for the game I should have been more focused on the hitters and getting them out. Not just getting them out either. You pitch to dominate and that's not the mentality that I had. When you're capable of throwing the ball in the mid-90s and then in spring training you're in the high 80s, that could be the result of worrying about other things as opposed to getting guys out." De Fratus was 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in 13 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season before being recalled.

Fantasy Tip: Because of several off days on the schedule, the Phillies will not need a fifth starter again until May 21, so the decision was made to add an extra bullpen arm for the time being. Cloyd would have been demoted regardless of how well he pitched Friday, but he is expected to return to the majors as soon as the Phils need another starter.